CERC is pleased to announce that we have been granted Special Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UN’s central platform for reflection, debate, and innovative thinking on sustainable development.

ECOSOC grants consultative status upon recommendation of the Committee on NGOs, which comprises 19 Member States. Through ECOSOC, non-governmental organisations first took a role in formal UN deliberations.

Consultative status, depending on the level, gives NGOs several rights to participate in the UN’s work, present their views, and deliver testimony. Organisations enjoying general and special status can attend the Council’s meetings and circulate statements. Special consultative status is granted to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have special competence in, and are concerned with, only a few fields of activity covered by the ECOSOC.

In CERC’s case, our work straddles corruption and human rights. Being awarded Special Consultative Status means that CERC’s advocacy work with the UN will be a little bit easier as this will allow us access to high-level sessions and facilitate easier participation within these processes.

ECOSOC serves as the central forum for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations system. Fifty-four UN member states from various geographical locations, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, Benin, Angola, Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mali and Nigeria, are represented on the Council.

ECOSOC engages a wide variety of stakeholders in a productive dialogue on sustainable development through programmatic meetings. Consultative status provides NGOs with access to ECOSOC and its many subsidiary bodies, to the various human rights mechanisms of the UN ad-hoc processes on small arms, and special events organised by the President of the UN General Assembly.

The Consultative Status award follows a rigorous application and thorough vetting of an organisation’s governance and financial systems, including its credibility as a leader in its field. “CERC is very grateful for this recognition and the opportunities it presents for our global advocacy work,” says Mr Bitamala, “We will use this Consultative Status to strengthen our work championing anti-corruption, human rights and governance; in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Maganga Masembe, Communication Officer
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +243977757227

Heri Bitamala, CEO
Emal : [email protected]
Tel: +243827332229